Ocean City

The Floating City of the Future

InspirationInspiration

Polynesian VoyagersPolynesian Voyagers

Long before Columbus, Cook, and Vasco de Gama, the Polynesian people were great seafarers. In order to travel (and migrate) to islands scattered thousands of miles apart the Polynesians built large double-hulled vessels that would carry several dozen people, plants, animals, and sufficient supplies to last the entire voyage. This history leads me to believe that a village does not need to be in a static location, but

can be moveable Furthermore, since oceans cover 71% of the earth's surface villages and cities need not be

located on land

Northwest Coast Native AmericansNorthwest Coast Native Americans

Native Americans on the Northwest coast of America built massive dwellings called longhouses. These longhouses were typically 60 to 100 feet long structures which housed up to 20 families who shared in the many responsibilities of the village

The Native Americans teach us that we can live communally, utilizing less resources and space, and sharing in the responsibilities that are essential to the community

Introduction & PhilosophyIntroduction & Philosophy

Ocean City is a community of individuals who live on a large floating vessel. The vessel has no fixed location, but travels upon the oceans from one land mass to another as dictated by the needs of the community

CommunityCommunity

The most important part of Ocean City is its community of 2000 to 5000 individuals. The community consists of families and individuals without regard to nationality, race, religion, sex, age, or other discriminating factor. The aim of this community is to create an environment of respect where diversity and sustainability are celebrated. In fact Ocean City is a place where people strive to understand each other and the environment they live in through active dialogue and interaction with one another

Ocean City: Philosophy

Ocean City is built to ensure three ideals; The well being of the individual The well being of the family, and The well being of the community

Well being is defined as having five core elements; Physical wellbeing Spiritual wellbeing Emotional wellbeing Intellectual wellbeing, and Environmental wellbeing

Ocean City embodies the principle that "it takes a village to raise a child". If this mantra is to be achieved, healthy interactions between all members of the community are not only important but also need to be promoted and maximized

Communal-Shared SpaceCommunal-Shared Space Communal Space is designed to maximize

healthy interactions between community members, and includes; Communal space in the "longhouses"

(kitchen, living room) Recreation area (shops, theatre,

restaurants) Sports fields, parks which promotes

people to slow down, play, and interact

Ocean City also believes that spiritual wellbeing requires that people need personal space and time for deep reflection

Personal SpacePersonal Space

Personal Space is designed to provide individuals and families privacy and time alone, and includes;

Personal residential space in "longhouses" (private apartment)

Green space (parks) designed to provide individuals privacy and quiet space

Personal office/workshop space

Ocean City is a place where individual, family, and community achievement are all equally celebrated

Ocean City is a place where the community not only helps and supports each individual achieve their personal ambitions, but also…

…a place where individuals provide service to the entire community so that the community thrives and achieves its goals

This idea is based on the philosophy that when you provide service, not only are other individuals and the entire community benefited, but it also benefits and builds you as an individual

Community Self GovernanceCommunity Self Governance Ocean City will be self governed by a

council who are elected by the community (similar to a city council and mayor)

Additionally, all other community members will have responsibilities within the community (e.g.- sanitation, safety etc.) to ensure community wellbeing

Ocean City EngineeringOcean City Engineering

Ocean City is built using advanced engineering methods utilizing recyclable resources, and equipped with the most up to date technological advancements.

The engineering methods, technology, and materials are all utilized in a manner to maximize the wellbeing of the community. As such the goal is not that individuals become slaves to the technology, but that the technology serves the (highest) purposes of the individuals

Living in Ocean CityLiving in Ocean City

Residents will choose to live in one of many 'longhouses' each of which will accommodate several families, and individuals

Each house will have both private (private apartment) and communal/shared residential spaces (kitchen, living room, laundry, bathrooms)

This design is aimed at providing the privacy that each individual and family need, as well as increasing interactions between the residents in the house whereby all those who live in each longhouse will build close relationships and become akin to an extended family. Communal/ shared space also cuts down the amount of resources needed to support the residents (e.g.- one kitchen instead of 20 kitchens)

Work SpaceWork Space

While many Ocean City residents tele-commute for firms located elsewhere, others provide services directly to the community

Office space will be modeled to provide all professionals private working spaces designed for their needs, with shared access to common office resources to cut down waste

EducationEducation

Education from nursery, to graduate, to post-graduate studies are available through various mediums (online, live etc.). The purpose of education is not as much to develop someone to fill a job, but to develop an individual who is capable of reasoning and understanding complex local and global issues that face them and their community, and helping to find solutions for these

In addition to the many recreational activities available, there will be various cultural festivals celebrating the diversity and sustainability of the community that will be held at regular intervals throughout the year

Spiritual CenterSpiritual Center

At the center of the vessel will be a spiritual center where residents can meditate, and hold spiritual meetings

Green space is what will transform a drab floating platform with various structures into a pleasing living space

Green space will be designed in such a way as to make the vessel seem larger than it really is (curved pathways, tall trees etc.)

ResourcesResources

EnergyEnergy

Ocean City will utilize renewable resources including solar, wind, and wave energy to provide power to both the vessel (as it sails), and the community

WaterWaterFresh water for community use will come from desalination plants on the vessel

FoodFoodThe vessel will contain a large area on which to grow the necessary plant life to sustain the community indefinitely and will include an orchard, community vegetable garden, and apiary

The ocean with its abundant animal and plant life will also be utilized in a sustainable way to feed the community. Very little fresh meat will be available as raising livestock consumes enormous amounts of resourcesOther foods such as grains, sugar, and oil which cannot be produced or grown in Ocean City will be purchased by the community once the vessel lands at different locations

Sewage & GarbageSewage & Garbage

Ocean City strives to be a zero waste community, and thus utilizes recycling technology in a comprehensive way. Sewage & green waste are treated using technology such as UV rays, and algae to make them reusable for irrigation and composting. Other waste products are recycled to produce various beneficial products

TransportationTransportation

Ocean City residents do not have heavy commuting needs. As such the residents will use bicycles, small electric and hydrogen powered vehicles for commuting around the vessel

A network of pathways to accommodate these vehicles will be built connecting the major sections of the vessel (gardens, residential space, offices, school, shopping district etc.)

Ocean City itself is an ocean traveling vessel powered by wind, solar, and wave energy. As such the vessel will travel to various destinations around the world where the residents can experience the various cultural traditions of the world (e.g.- USA, Brazil, Tonga, Australia, China, Japan, India, South Africa, England, Greece etc.)